Saint Joseph Catholic Church

The prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith told Vatican News that the German bishops’ April 2025 document, “Segnungen für Paare, die sich lieben“ (Blessings for couples who love one another) does not have Vatican approval.

Pope Leo XIV received U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio today (video), three days after President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the Pontiff.

Pope Leo XIV today received members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard and their families, a day after 28 new members were sworn in.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin said on May 6 that he sees a “consonance of thought” between the writings of Pope Benedict XVI and the writings of the future Pope Leo.

Father Gabriel Romanelli, I.V.E., said:

The Pope sent us a message expressing his closeness, his prayers, his concern for the entire situation, praying day after day for the end of the war in Gaza, for the parish, for all the local people, so that the Lord may grant what the prayers of the Successor of Saint Peter, today Leo XIV, implores for the world: peace for Palestine, peace for Israel, conversion, and grace for all.

Describing the situation in Gaza, Father Romanelli said that “the ceasefire that began in October has somewhat improved the situation, in the sense that there are no blanket bombings. However, people are still dying, being killed.”

The Italian online magazine documents violations of religious freedom in China and elsewhere.

Twenty-eight new members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard were sworn in during a ceremony in Paul VI Audience Hall on May 6 (video).

“The Pope greatly encouraged us,” said Father Elias, who, like the other priests on the call, hail from beleaguered southern Lebanese villages. “The Holy Father wished to give us good courage in the face of difficulties that our Christian community has faced in these past days. He prayed over us and spoke the benediction.”

Pope Leo XIV praised the reading and distribution of books as he marked the centenary of Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), the Vatican publishing house.